Sunday, June 24, 2007

The Muslim community of Mannar was forced to leave from the home town in 1990 by the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eealam). Most of them never went back to check about their properties due to fear. Some of them went back to Mannar during peace time after 2002, but did not want to stay long due to uncertainty.

They have been living in welfare camps in Puttlam district for more than 17 years. There are 13 families-70 persons living in Nookkuraansolai welfare camp in Kandalkuda, Puttlam district. They are living in cadjan huts for the past 17 years.

They feel that, they are a neglected Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of conflict, and nobody cares about them. The Muslim community believes that the LTTE leadership has not shown any sign to the evicted Muslims, to comeback and resettle in their places.
"I am facing a severe hardships in the camp with my two little daughters. I do not know how I am going manage in the future when my daughters attain age. My tears are left alone on my face to dry" said Asima Faris (33).She has two daughters Fathima Nushka (3) and Fathima Anusha (6). Asima Faris was evicted from Erukkalampitty in 1990
They have been living in cadjan huts for more than 17 years, and they do not know how long they will have to live in huts
"I have no permanent job. I have to do labourer work daily to earn an income to feed my family. If I was not evicted from Mannar, I would have built my own house and living comfortably with my family" said Mohamed Saleem (35). He used to be a fisherman in Mannar
"We are very frustrated. The politicians visit us, during the election campaign and make numerous promises. But they deliver none, after getting the power in their hands" said Thaslima Rajid (35), who was displaced from Puthukkudiyiruppu in Mannar district
"I am newly married. We have no privacy in the camp. There is only limited space in every hut. I have never been to Mannar, after we were evicted" said Fathima Asha (33)
Most of the children have not visted their parents' home towns
"I lost all my properties, while I was forced to leave my home town along with my fellow brothers and sisters. I am a stranger in another person's land. I have language problem to communicate with Sinhala community. My land is occupied by somebody in Erukkalampitty, and I have been forced to occupy somebodyelse's land here" said Nayeema Saalib (50), who left Erukklamapitty in 1990